Freedom with Technology: Reclaiming Your Focus in a World Designed to Distract
Own your tech, live now with digital integrity. Shift from passive consumption to intentional use and redefine your relationship with technology.
Six months ago, I created this account with the intention of sharing my philosophy on mindful tech use. But I hesitated. Life got in the way, doubts crept in, and the idea sat on the shelf. Yet, it kept resurfacing—nudging me in different forms—until today, when I finally committed to writing this first post.
I believe I have something valuable to share. Valuable enough that I decided to name it and build a philosophy around it: Free With Tech. A recent push, including insights from David Boland’s 7-Day Creator course, helped me take the leap.
The Problem: Technology as Both an Enabler and a Trap
I’ve always had ideas. I’ve executed on many of them, mostly in software development. As a programmer, I enjoy a level of autonomy and freedom in my work. But with that freedom comes a challenge: without structure, the day can slip away. Technology gives us unprecedented flexibility, yet it also consumes our attention—often in ways we don’t realize.
We’ve all been there: picking up the phone for “just a second” and losing 30 minutes. Doomscrolling, endless notifications, apps designed to pull us in. Our energy each day is limited, and tech can either empower us or drain us.
“With great freedom comes great responsibility.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
The problem isn’t technology itself. It’s how we use it. And more importantly, how we let it use us.
The Solution: Becoming Free With Tech
After experiencing both extremes—being fully immersed in tech and then stripping it away—I found a middle ground. Free With Tech is a philosophy that helps you reclaim control, using technology intentionally rather than being controlled by it.
It’s built on three key concepts:
1. Intentional Living: Self-Awareness
Self-awareness isn’t just about knowing yourself—it’s about actively observing your thoughts, behaviors, and patterns. Developing self-awareness allows you to:
Recognize what truly matters
Set clear goals and say no to distractions
Track habits, emotions, and focus levels
By becoming more self-aware, I gained a clearer understanding of how I was using my time—and how much of it was being hijacked by tech. Practices like journaling, mindfulness, and reflection all contribute to deepening this awareness, helping you make intentional choices about how you engage with technology and life.
2. Becoming Hard to Reach: Digital Minimalism
Every notification is an attack on your attention. Treat it as such.
Disable non-essential notifications
Remove apps and services that don’t serve you
Prioritize real-world interactions over digital distractions
Social media is engineered to keep us scrolling. But cutting back gives you mental space and a sense of control.
3. Tech as an Extension, Not a Foundation: Tech Independence
Could you still function if your devices disappeared overnight? Your tech should serve you, not the other way around.
Keep key information offline (notes, backups)
Avoid lock-in with a single ecosystem
Own your data and be aware of privacy implications
Freedom comes from having choices. Being Free With Tech means using tools as extensions of yourself, not as necessities for your existence.
The Mission: A Manifesto for Change
This isn’t just personal—it’s something I believe the world needs. I’m working on the Free With Tech Manifesto, an open framework that outlines core principles of mindful tech use. My goal? To create a movement where people can sign the manifesto, contribute ideas, and reclaim their focus in a world designed to distract them.
Next Steps: Join the Journey
This is just the beginning. If this resonates with you, follow along. I’ll be sharing insights, experiments, and ways to live intentionally with technology—without giving up its benefits.
Subscribe if you want to reclaim your focus and be Free With Tech.